Most Popular
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Jimin of BTS, actor Song Da-eun suspected to be dating, again
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Police raid popera singer Kim Ho-joong's house over hit-and-run suspicions
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What's next for the government's push in quota hike?
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Trump may like to 'solve' N. Korean nuclear problem if reelected: ex-official
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Woman falls to death from acquaintance's home after exhibiting ‘unexplained' behaviors
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N. Korea slams planned S. Korea-US military drills, warns of 'catastrophic aftermath'
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N. Korea fires short-range ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS
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‘Malice should not undermine the system, social order,’ says Hybe's Bang
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[Robert J. Fouser] Social attitudes toward language proficiency
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[Graphic News] How much do Korean adults read?
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N. Korea vows support for science, technology
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed unsparing support for the country's science and technology sectors "to defeat enemies and to boost the economy," Pyongyang's media said Wednesday.He made the pledge during his field guidance to the country's State Academy of Sciences in South Pyongan Province, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported, without elaborating on the date of the trip."In the face of increasingly vicious schemes of isolation and suppression by imperialists, Kim stre
Jan. 15, 2014
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Bader: Time to talk with China on N.K.’s future
WASHINGTON ― The United States should seek prompt tripartite talks with China and South Korea on the future of the Korean Peninsula, a former security aide to President Barack Obama said.Jeffrey Bader emphasized such cooperation is “critical” as the North Korean regime proves increasingly unpredictable.“My own view is that the U.S., South Korea and China need to be talking about future scenarios in the Korean Peninsula, including instability in North Korea,” he said in a recent interview with Yo
Jan. 14, 2014
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Seoul uses less than one-third of North Korea fund last year
South Korea spent less than one-third of its fund intended to boost exchange and cooperation with North Korea last year, the unification ministry said Tuesday.South Korea spent 296.4 billion won ($280 million) last year, or 27 percent of the 1.09 trillion won earmarked, for the inter-Korean cooperation fund, according to the ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs.The figure represents the highest level in six years as the government paid insurance money to small South Korean companies that
Jan. 14, 2014
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N.K. calls on Seoul to mend ties
North Korea blamed South Korea Tuesday for its “confrontational acts,” calling for efforts from Seoul “to create a mood” for improved inter-Korean ties.Pyongyang’s call for better relations came five days after it rejected Seoul’s offer to hold talks to discuss reunions of families separated by 1950-53 Korean War.While North Korea had made a series of rare charm offensives to South Korea after its leader Kim Jong-un called for improved inter-Korean ties in his New Year’s address, the North rejec
Jan. 14, 2014
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Absence of Kim’s aunt may not impact North Korea leadership
The anticipated absence of Kim Kyong-hui, the aunt of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un, is unlikely to impact the fledgling leadership in Pyongyang, given his stable grip on power, analysts said Monday.The failing health of Kim, one of the most influential mentors to the inexperienced leader, has raised concerns over the stability of the regime.“Should his aunt die or fail to function, there may be a psychological impact on the leadership to a certain extent, as the leader still lacks experience i
Jan. 13, 2014
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More than 1,500 defectors arrive in South Korea in 2013
More than 1,500 North Korean defectors arrived in South Korea last year, the Unification Ministry said Monday, despite Pyongyang’s crackdown to stem the flow of defections.The ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said a total of 1,516 North Koreans settled in South Korea in 2013, up slightly from 2012 when 1,502 North Koreans arrived in the South, with women accounting for 76 percent of the total.The ministry said South Korea is now home to 26,124 North Koreans.Last year’s tally is the
Jan. 13, 2014
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Rodman apologizes for not helping U.S. missionary
BEIJING (AP) ― Former basketball star Dennis Rodman apologized on Monday for not being able to help an American missionary detained in North Korea during his trip there to play in a game to celebrate the birthday of his friend and leader Kim Jong-un. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything,” Rodman told media on his arrival at Beijing airport from a weeklong trip. “It’s not my fault. I’m sorry. I just want to do some good stuff, that’s all I want to do.”Rodman and the squad of retired NBA p
Jan. 13, 2014
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Man found guilty of visiting N. Korea, murdering wife
A South Korean man was found guilty of violating the National Security Act as well as murdering his wife, court officials in Seoul said Sunday.Authorities at the Seoul Central District Court said the 65-year-old man, identified only by his surname Lee, and his wife crossed the Yalu River ― which forms part of the border between China and North Korea ― in May 2011 into North Korea. The two spent time at an unidentified port of entry with North Korean officials, studying books that glorified North
Jan. 13, 2014
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N.K. ‘elections’ may provide clues to power shift
North Korea will hold elections to its rubber-stamp parliament in March, opening a rare window on possible power shifts in Pyongyang following the recent execution of leader Kim Jong-un’s uncle.The presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly decided the election ― held every five years ― would take place on March 9, the North’s official KCNA news agency said. The last parliamentary vote ― a highly staged process with only one approved candidate standing for each of the 687 districts ― was held in
Jan. 13, 2014
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Rodman back from 'amazing' trip to N. Korea
Former NBA star Dennis Rodman returned from North Korea on Monday, describing his latest trip to Pyongyang, where he met with the North's leader Kim Jong-un, as "amazing.""It's amazing that I had an opportunity," the heavily tattooed Rodman told a throng of journalists at the Beijing airport, wrapping up his week-long trip to North Korea. "Marshal (Kim Jong-un) gave me this opportunity."Asked how he felt about his fourth trip to the North in the past year, Rodman replied, "This is not a bad deal
Jan. 13, 2014
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S. Korea to finish building RFID system at Kaesong this week
South Korea plans to finish building a new data transfer system at a jointly run factory park in North Korea this week, an official said Monday, a move expected to facilitate travel to and from the industrial complex.The radio frequency identification system will be up and running at the North's western border city of Kaesong later this month, unification ministry spokesman Kim Eui-do told reporters.The system would allow South Korean factory managers to visit the park and return home at any tim
Jan. 13, 2014
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More than 1,500 N. Korean defectors arrive in S. Korea in 2013
More than 1,500 North Korean defectors arrived in South Korea last year, the unification ministry said Monday, despite Pyongyang's crackdown to stem the flow of defections.The ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said a total of 1,516 North Koreans settled in South Korea in 2013, up slightly from 2012 when 1,502 North Koreans arrived in the South, with women accounting for 76 percent of the total.The ministry said South Korea is now home to 26,124 North Koreans.Last year's tally is the
Jan. 13, 2014
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U.S., China discussed contingencies in N. Korea: report
The United States and China had discussions on the possibility of a regime collapse in North Korea and other contingencies well before the death of former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, according to a U.S. congressional report.But it remains unconfirmed whether the two global powers are continuing such sensitive consultations."When asked on Oct. 4, 2009, whether the United States and China discussed contingencies in North Korea, (then) Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell acknowledged ta
Jan. 13, 2014
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Bae’s family raps Rodman, says plight ‘no joke’
The family of a US missionary held in North Korea accepted Thursday ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman’s apology for an “outrageous” TV outburst, but lashed him saying their loved one’s plight was “not a game.”In a statement issued by the sister of Kenneth Bae, jailed for 15 years in the reclusive state last year, they poured thinly veiled scorn on Rodman after he explained his outburst by saying he was drunk and stressed.“Our family accepts Dennis Rodman’s apology for his outrageous outburst. ... As Rod
Jan. 10, 2014
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Seoul urges N.K. to accept offer of family reunions
Seoul on Friday urged Pyongyang to accept its proposal for reunions of separated families, expressing its intention to discuss the restarting of lucrative tours to a North Korean mountain resort. The North rejected Seoul’s offer of talks on Thursday, citing as hurdles South Korea-U.S. military drills, the cold weather and lack of preparation time ahead of the gathering timed for Lunar New Year’s Day later this month.“We once again urge North Korea not to call for humanitarian projects using word
Jan. 10, 2014
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North Korea snubs Seoul’s proposal for family reunions
North Korea on Thursday rejected the South’s offer for talks on reunions of separated families, crushing long-held wishes of aging Koreans and hopes for improved cross-border ties. While agreeing on the event’s need and humanitarian nature, Pyongyang cited as barriers Seoul’s military exercises, the cold weather and short preparation period for the gathering timed for Lunar New Year’s Day later this month. Seoul expressed regret, calling on the communist neighbor to demonstrate sincerity with ac
Jan. 9, 2014
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Rodman under fire for N.K. trip
Retired U.S. basketball star Dennis Rodman has drawn the ire of human rights activists and some of his fellow professionals by singing “Happy Birthday” to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Wednesday. Rodman reportedly visited a multimillion-dollar North Korean ski resort, which is one of Kim’s showcase projects, on Thursday. Rodman led a chorus of North Koreans singing the song to the leader before leading a squad of former NBA stars in a friendly game that Kim attended with his young wife.Rodm
Jan. 9, 2014
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Six-party talks still useful tool to denuclearize N. Korea: Seoul
The six-party forum on ending North Korea's nuclear program remains a useful tool for resolving the issue, Seoul's foreign ministry said Thursday, again urging Pyongyang to show sincerity to resume the long-stalled talks.The talks involving the two Koreas, the United States, Japan, China and Russia have not been held since late 2008 as the North was found to have continued its development of nuclear arms in breach of previous aid-for-disarmament agreements. "I feel very sorry that the dialogue
Jan. 9, 2014
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'Kim Kyung-hui in near vegetative state'
Kim Kyung-hui, aunt of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and wife of recently purged No. 2 man Jang Song-thaek, is reportedly in a near vegetative state after undergoing brain surgery, a local newspaper said Thursday. “According to a reliable source, Kim Kyung-hui had surgery for a brain tumor in Paris last year,” an unnamed U.S. official was quoted as saying.The unnamed source said that Kim remains in a critical condition, citing her low weight, 35 kilograms.Earlier on Wednesday, Yonhap News repo
Jan. 9, 2014
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N. Korea rejects S. Korea's offer of talks on family reunions
North Korea on Thursday rejected South Korea's offer of talks on laying the groundwork for reunions of families separated after the Korean War in the latest sign of lingering tensions on the divided Korean Peninsula.Still, the North indicated that it can hold the reunions in "good season," though it did not give a specific time frame for the unions.The move came three days after South Korean President Park Geun-hye called for a resumption of the reunions, one of the highly emotional issues for a
Jan. 9, 2014